Posted at 6:45 p.m.
Mercedes CLA 45 AMG
Price: from $63,900
Straddling the sedan and the coupé, the CLA 45 AMG skilfully plays on two counts. Compared to the M240i, it appears more functional. More streamlined too with its roof line stretched like an arc and nicely pinched glass surfaces. As fast as the BMW, but with two cylinders less (4 cylinders and 2 liters of 382 horsepower), the Mercedes however consumes more than its Bavarian rival and does not offer such sophisticated road feel. On the other hand, its interior appears much more rewarding than that of the M240i. This is what undoubtedly justifies, in part, the higher price of the representative of the firm with the star.
Nissan Z
PHOTO PROVIDED BY NISSAN
The Nissan Z
Price: from $46,498
Since the bench seat of the M240i (this also goes for the Mercedes) seems incidental, why include the Nissan Z? Offered at a more attractive price, the Japanese gallops 400 horsepower in its six-cylinder block and, unlike the BMW, offers a manual gearbox in its catalog. Alas, in the configurations currently offered by Nissan, the Z does not have the drive of an M240i. More Grand Touring than sports pure syrup, the Nissan does not have the pugnacity or the finesse of the German in the turns. Driven by its rear wheels alone, the Z does not have the same confidence to circulate in snow and slush either.
Toyota GR Supra
PHOTO PROVIDED BY TOYOTA
The Toyota GR Supra
Price: from $57,170
Forget the $57,170 price tag. In exchange for this sum, you will only benefit from four cylinders. It will cost you an additional $11,470 to slip the stock BMW six-cylinder under its hood. Yes, BMW. The GR Supra is indeed a Z4 living under an assumed name and under a hardtop. Like the Nissan Z, winter makes the GR Supra particularly chilly. However, when the sun is shining and the road is dry, the Japanese perfectly compares with the M240i on the dynamic level. From a functional point of view, the GR Supra invites to lean cooking and short getaways due to the smallness of its trunk.